Straight bar knitting machine



March 25, 1958 F. LAMBACH STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 8. 1952 INVENTOR FRITZ LQMBFICH ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 LAMBACH 2,827,781

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 we \D 252 402 I l6404 45b I H 1 =5! 1: 1 I g-- 3 @122 I 1 I56 I l 66 9| M P 'A.4 F I 67 P I W I50 88 INVEN I'OR FRITZ LFIMBHCH ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 LAMBACH STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 8, 1952 INVENTOR FRITZ LHMBHCH ATTORNEY March'25, 1958 F. LAMBACH .STRAIGHT BAR KNiTTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 8, 1952 mo ma 450 402 lob I64 INVENTOR FRITZ LQMBHCF T-rb iEx March 25, 1 5 F. LAMBACH 2,827,781

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 460,456 454 452 428 '4525 4 2 INVYENTOR FRITZ LHMBQCH ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 F. LAMBACH STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8. 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR FRITZ LQMBFICH BY I ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 I 2,827,781 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8. 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR FRITZ LQMBFICH BY Mtg.

ATTORN EY United States Patent TO 2,827,781 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Fritz Lambach, Tenafly, N. 1., assignor to Robert Reiner, Inc., Weehawken, N. J. Application October 8, 1952, Serial N 0. 313,698

8 Claims. or. 66-96) This invention relates to knitting machines, and more particularly to straight bar knitting machines.

An object of the invention is to provide a welt-rod releasing mechanism by means of which the welt-rod may be automatically released at any selected time interval,

so that a welt of any desired length may he knitted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a straight bar knitting machine with a fully automatic welt-turning device wherein the release of the welt-rod and the weltturn itself take place automatically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a straight bar knitting machine with automatic take-up means by means of which the tension applied to the fabric may be automatically reduced to a pre-set value during the performance of the welt-turn.

Another object of the invention is to improve on the art of straight bar knitting machines as now ordinarily made.

Other objects and structural details of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatical front elevational view of a straight bar knitting machine according to the invention, wherein only those parts are shown which are necessary for the understandng of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 2a is an elevational view of a detail of the actuating mechanism for actuating the welt-bar,

Fig. 3 is a top elevational view illustrating the weltturn mechanism, welt-rod releasing mechanism and takeup mechanism of a section of the knitting machine,

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of shown in Fig. 3, Q

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. I,

Fig. 6 is an illustration of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5, however on a somewhat enlarged scale,

Figs. 7 and 8 are illustrations of the same mechanism as shown in Fig. 6, the members of said mechanism, however, are in different positions,

Figs. 9-11 are fragmentary elevational views illustrating the welt-rod holding and releasing mechanism in various positions,

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 1212 of Fig. 1, said Fig. 12 illustrating a take-up drive associated with a take-up reel of a section of the knitting machine,

Fig. 13 is a view of a detail of the take-up drive shown in Fig. 12,'and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 1414 of Fig. 1, said Fig. 14 illustrating an automatic control for locking and releasing the take-up device.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, 30 generally indicates the frame of a two-section straight bar knitting machine. A motor 32 mounted on a bracket 34 carried by the frame 36 of the knitting machine is connected through a train of gears 36 with the main cam shaft 38 rotatably arranged in suitable bearings of the frame of the machine. as generally indicates a pattern chain carrying a section of buttons 42 for the control of certain mecha nisms of the knitting machine. During the operation of the machine, the pattern chain is intermittently advanced the mechanism of U-shaped' cross section.

in a manner known per se by any suitable mechanism actuated by a cam keyed to the main cam shaft 38.

Each row of buttons 42 mounted on the pattern chain 4% in a predetermined manner is arranged for cooperation with a swingable spring loaded jack 44a, 44b 44m, of a series of jacks. Each jack is connected through wires, levers and rods with a controlling mechanism of the knitting machine.

According to Figs. 2 and 2a, a wire 46 secured to a jack 44i is pivotally connected with th lower end of a lever 48 secured to the left hand end (as viewed in Fig. 2) of a rod 50 rockably mounted in bearings 52 {see Figs; 2 and 2a) secured to the frame of the machine. A. lever 54 (see Fig. 2a) secured at its lower. end to the right hand end of the rockable rod 50 is pivotally connected at its upper end with one end of a wire 56. The other end of said wire 56 is pivotally connected with one armof a controlling element or controlling latch 69 swingably mounted on a pivot 62 projecting upwardly from the base 64 of a block 66 being substantially Said block 66 swingably mounted on a shaft 68 carries an adjustable stop screw 72 capable of cooperation with a shaft 74 of the machine. A spring 76 stretched between a downward extension 78 of said block 66 and a stationary point 80 of the machine tends to urge said stop screw 72 against said shaft 74, whereby the block 66 is held in a substantially horizontal position.

'Furthermore, a double-armed spring loaded follower 82 carrying a roller 84 is swingably mounted on the shaft 68 between the side walls of the U-shaped block 66. The roller 84 of the cam follower 82 cooperates with a cam 88 keyed to the main cam shaft 38.

.During the operation of the machine the arm 90 of the cam follower 82 may freely rock within the U-shaped block 66 held in its position by the spring 76, in accordance with the shape of the cam 88 enegaged with the roller 84 of the follower 82, as long as the controlling element or latch 60 is in an inactive position out of alignment with the end of the arm. As soon as, however, the rod 50 is rocked in the direction of the arrow A owing to an actuation of the spring loaded jack 44f by a button onthe pattern chain 40, the lever 54 connected to said rod 50 causes a swinging of the controlling element 61 about its pivot 62 into an active position wherein its upward extension 92 is in register with the end of the arm 900i the cam follower 82. As soon as said controlling element 64 is thus brought into said active position, the next downward rocking of the arm 90 of the cam follower 82 caused by the rise on the cam 88 results in a swinging of the block 66 against the action of the spring 76 in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2a.

When the cam follower 82 returns into the position shown in Fig. 2a and consequently the arm 90 of said cam follower 82 is lifted, the block 66 may follow said movement of the arm 90 in clockwise direction by the action of the spring 76 until the stop screw 72 hits against the-shaft 74. Now, when the rod 50 is rocked in the direction of the arrow B owing to a disengagement of the button on the advancing pattern chain from the spring loaded jack 44i connected with the rod 50, the lever 54 is returned into its original position, whereby the controlling element 60 is returned into its inactive position wherein its upward extension 92 is out of the path of the end of the arm 90 of the cam follower 82 so that the latter may again freely rock without influence on the block 66.

The downward extensions 78 of the said block 66 is pivotally connected at 96 with one end of a rod 98, the other end of which is pivotally connected at 100 with an pushing elements 106 are secured to said shaft 104 for a V 126"&and, conselquently thee r prise-rates swu g;

easan purpose tozabeedescribed lfereinafter. it will be readily understood. thatan oscillation of-theblock66 -fthe-camfollower 82 in the manner-described above causes an oscillation of the pushing elements .106.

a In a similar niannerl another' -jack -44f- (see=Fi-g.- 2) 6 connected; fthrough wi'res; rods -and ilevers--47, 49; 51; 55' withithe'controllingelement-nr controlling latch 61 swing: ably: mounted in-a: block 61' rock'ably -ai' ranged on th'e' shaft 683 A-springfl 7 stretched botweenzadownw-ard ex tensionflQe-ofsthe block-fil 'and a= statidnary point SY-of the machinestendsz toaurge th'osblock 'fi l into -the posi tion shown in Fig. 2 wherein'its jstogg serewwnabuts" againstt-an abutment-753 of tltt e mach'ifiee Depending "QIL thezpositiongofr theecontrollinpeleinent on latch 61" "rela= tiy e to2thet=endgoftzthe arm 91 6f a=sp ingi load'd' cam 61% lowerg83gcarryingau'oller 85 cooperating with a cam 89' keyedato" the cam =-shaff3; --said"cam follower *83 eithetefreelyz-zi-oekszwithintthe: blockifl 'or eauses a r0ekinggofa-thealatterizthroughdhe medium of the controlling latch 161:! The downward extensionflmof 'the'hlocl fi'i is piyotally connected at :97 with one'end of throd 99;" thmothenaendmf;.whicheisgpiuoted at :lfll' to an arm 103; securgd'zio w 'shatt :400rjoumallediin suitablebearings of theitf'rametofathesrma'chinw l Axpaira of swingable supporting rneuthersr40259 5ecm'etf-- to said shaft itfltlrimeachzsection ofthe machine: As-will i bedescribed .later;on;saidswingaole supportingmembers 402, constitutezelementsiof the-welt mrning deviea gen+- l erallyrindicatedthy-1404.: As will bo-readily.understood-$- antpsejllationaof1the;block 6r7 "by the camdollowei -fi inthemanner descrihed: ahovemausesamupward -and down ward rocking of said supporting .members 4o2i As; best shown imFigs.;1':and- 2,-T a1control 'sh'aftq08 *is rotatahlyimountedlimsuitableibearings ofth'e frame-30 0f theg maeh neia Aeserieszsofcontrollinpcams els -rigidly cqnneqtedgwitlnsaidicontrol shaft; Each controllin'g cam:- is used for the controli ofi:fa'- -certain :mechanisirr of" the* machines; The. drawings-illustrateonly fonn ofi'said con- ,7 4, ams;i;i.;e; the controlling cam=110 '(see 1=tgs;--1- and 14'); the cont -rolling cam 1111 (see. Fi'gsz I and Z) and the controllingwpam :1121-:r(see- Fig's, l and 2-)" and-'controlling cam 113 (seeaFigeUL- The control' shaft' 108 is intermittently;- advancedethroughxthe medium of 'a-ratche't wheel -mechanism 114zwliichvsis;actuated tby a connectingrod 116 COHHECtCdE3Vl1h az ueshaped block tnot -shown of a'latch; controlled:.actuating drive of theztype-described ab oyer. Fors'example; theecontrolling;:element or con t trollingelatsh 9fZthis1;actuatingedriwe;zcoulcl hemiontrolled" bythegpattemehainitttbthrougls the jack #47912" The ,icontrollingacame 11th (see-L- Eigs. l and 1'4)fcoopcrates with;a=- spring loaded-i-cam -fozllower- 118 swingahlyt' mountedon a shaft2120a; saidicam followen 118 is pivotally connected with thezlowen endio f a connectingrod 122,;theupper=end;of whichdsipivoted at 1 24' to-one arm of a bell crank-lever. swingablyi mounted ona stud l28 carried bythe' frameaofathemachine: Th'e -other arm-ofisaid'bell; cranklever;ist-pivotallyiconnected at 131) with one end of. therod132qr Theother end'iof s'aicl rod 132 being bent .is; in lslidahle engagement with-a slot- 134 of a locking; latch 136:;'swingahlyt mounted on a station; ary-part ofthe;machineiatt-138Ei. A -tension ;spring 149- stretched betweemthe :lockingwlateh ififiand -a--stationaryportion 1 of the'rnachine frame -ctends-to-urg the h'ook -ef the latchql36; intoengagement'; with a notch 142 of acollar 144;. rigidly connected with: a' locking shaft 5 146 rotatably mounted insuitablebearingstof'the fra-rne of the machine, when,v the linkage 1'18, 5122, 1'26', 132 "is in the-" position -shown infull liiresz- As soon as;:upon anaadvanc ing of the-control.shaft:ltl8gthe higli portion of the'gco rtrolling, ,can1s- ;11tk comes; into-engagement withtthemame follower 118,; the latter: is'lbroughtinto the posi-ti'o'n 118' shown-in dashtandfldot lines wherehy' the'b'ellcranlrf lever-126" is brought into th'e-dash and do't line" position- '75 against the actionof the spring 140 into the releasing posit-ion 136'-wherein'itshook-isdisengaged'fromthe'notch 142 of the collar 144. Such a disengagement of the lock ing latch 136 from the notch 142 of the collar 144 results in a release of the locking shaft 146 for a purpose to be described hereinafter; When, after several intermittentadvancingmovements of -the control' shaft 108, thepam follower-tzll8-lcomes ragaintintoqengagement the dwell of the controllingxaxmdltl; thalinkage 118, 122, 126, '132Lissreturned1into thetpositiontshownsimfulhlines in Fig. 14. If at this'tirne the round portion of the collar 144 should be oppositethe'hoolrofthelocking latch 136, so that the latter cannot come immediately into engagemenewiththemotchHfl; thespring 1'40 willurge the locknotch :142"wil1contc 'opposite'torthe hook'iiofthe locking;

lateh=-13,6, owing toa'rotationfioflthe-locking shaft'146;ithe

hools 'of saidiloclein'g latclt l3'6"may"automatically snap ing -elements of the' machine: Arpaitof'arms4418is se-' positioms'l'iown in 9; the portion 442 thereof projects beyond the plane of the right hand side (as viewed in Fig. 9 )'-"oft the -channel 434; so -t-hat'it' may 'hold'a welta rod 436 in th position shown' in"said Fig; 9'. When theam=418 is swtmg in" clockwise direction upon an enga'gement ofi a rise of thecontrolling'camilfl ('see Fig, 2) with the cam followeeqtlfi, -the-rockableelement; '428ti is swung iiito theepositioir shown in "Fig." 10; whereby the, welt-rod 436 is released for droppingpnto the -fabr'ic 312: Whemsuhsequentlw the spring-"loaded cam follower 406 isiengaged 'with a 'dwell of the controlling 'canrlll; the. arm 418 issswimgin counteraclockwise directionibeyond its initial;positiomof-figi S 'intothepositi'on'of Fig; 111, whereby the' curved portion 444 of-theelement428 'is'engaged with the welt-rod' =436 forpressing-same, against the curved wsll 446-atthe mouth-oaguidihg channel 314 of the stationary supporting member 416.1 Up on sub sequent engagement of the cam follower-406. with" the round portion of the -controlling cam' lll the arm 418, an'd the' element-428mm. returned into'the' position shown in-iFi ge 9. Thus; the release of the 'welt-rod 436;by the releasing-meohanism-406, 408;" 4'12; 418'; 420; 42.8f18"ldit rectly controlled by a controlling earn 111 keyedsto the control a shaft 108 so that-said- Welt rodrelease may" be vided wit-h Natalie-up drives; generally indicated by 448 and 44 one -at' eaeh side of themachin'ez Themecha v nismseof saiii' two malemp drivew are identical; withgth'e only exeeption -that their arrangement "is reversed and that the torsionspringfl'fo of-the: takeeup drive. 448*at;

the right hand sidofithe machineiis' weaker: than the tOISlOIIfiSPIjITgI'ZIF'OfthG' take-up drive ,449"attthe' left? hapdfsid'efofithe machine The reason for the difierence f answer 1 in the strength of said two'torsion springs 170 and "171 will'be explained hereinafter. As said two take-up drives are substantially identical, it will be sufficient to describe only the take-up drive 448 more in detail.

As may be gathered from Figs. 1 and 2, the controlling cam 112 secured to the control shaft 108 cooperates with a spring loaded cam follower 148 swingably mounted on the shaft 120. The upper arm of said cam follower 148 is pivotally connected with one end of a connecting rod 150, the other end 'of which has a bent portion slidably engaged with a slot 152 (see Figs. 2, 13 and 12) of the releasing element 154 swingably but axially immovably arranged on the take-up shaft 156 journalled in suitable bearings of the frame of the machine. element 154 is under the action of the spring 158 stretched between said releasing element and a stationary point of the machine, which tends to urge said releasing element 154 into the position shown in full lines in'Figs. 12 and 13. When during the operation of the machine the rise of the cam 112 is brought into engagement with the cam follower 148, the latter causes a movement of the connecting rod 150 in the direction of the arrow C, whereby the releasing element 154 is swung from its full line inactive position into its dash and dot line active position 154' against the action of the spring 158 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. When during the operation of the machine the controlling cam 112 is further advanced so that it causes a disengagement of its rise from its cam follower, the connecting rod 150 is returned into the position shown in Fig. 12 and the releasing element 154 will be returned into its full line inactive position by the action of the spring 158.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the take-up shaft 156 carries two take-up reels 160, one for each section of the knitting machine. There is a collar 162 on each side of each takeup reel 160 (see also Figs. 3 and 5). One end of a strap 164 is readily connected with each collar 162 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Furthermore, each take-up reel 160 and collar 162 is rigidly connected with the take-up shaft 156 by screws or the like. Moreover, as best shown in Fig. 1, a collar 166 is rigidly connected with said take-up shaft 156 by a screw or the like. A ratchet wheel 168 (see Figs. 1 and 2) is rotatably but axially immovably arranged on the take-up shaft 156 at a distance from said collar 166. The ends of a torsion spring 170 wound around said take-up shaft 156 and interposed between said collar 166 and said ratchet wheel 168 are positively engaged with said collar 166 and ratchet wheel 16%. The ratchet wheel may be advanced step by step in the direction of the arrow D (see Fig. 12) by a spring loaded actuating pawl 172 mounted on an arm 174 of a bell crank actuating lever 176 swingably but axially immovably mounted on the take-up shaft 156. The other arm 178 of said bell crank actuating lever is connected with one end of the tension actuating spring 180, the other end of which is connected with a movable hook 182, which may be adjusted in a manner known per se for adjusting the tension of the tension actuating spring 180.

The arm 178 of the bell crank actuating lever 176 carries a pin 184 slidably engaged with an elongated slot 186 arranged at one end of a tension restoring rod 188, the other end of which is pivoted to an arm 190 keyed to a needle bar shaft 192. Said needle bar shaft 192 is oscillated by a needle bar shaft drive (not shown) in a manner known per se during the operation of the machine so that consequently the arm 190 is reciprocated from the full line position into the dash and dot line position and vice versa.

The ratchet wheel 168 may be held in its position The releasing against the action of the torsion spring by means of a spring loaded locking pawl 194 carried by a stud 196 lever 176 carrying the actuating pawl 172 may be swung in the direction of the arrow D by the action of the tensioned actuating spring when the tension restoring rod 188 is moved in left hand direction (as viewed in Fig. 12) into the position shown in dash and dot lines, and when at this time the tension of said tension actuating spring 180 is larger than the tension of the torsion spring 170 connected with the ratchet wheel 168 and the set collar 166 to the take-up shaft 156 carrying the takeup reel 160 arranged for taking up fabric knitted by the machine. Depending on the degree of the difference in the tension between the tension actuating spring 186 and the torsion spring 170, the ratchet wheel 168 will be advanced one or more steps corresponding to the tooth caught by the actuating pawl 172 for tensioning the torsion spring 170 and applying tension to the take-up reel 160. When the tension restoring rod 188 is returned from the dash and dot line position towards the right into the full line position shown in Fig. 12, the bell crank actuating lever 176 will be swung in the direction of the arrow E by the cooperation of the left hand edge of the slot 186 with the pin 184 mounted on the arm 178 whereby thetension of the tension actuating spring 180 is restored. The next advancing of the ratchet wheel 168 will occur only after the tension of the tension actuating spring 180 exceeds the tension of the torsion spring 170, although the tension restoring rod 188 is permanently reciprocated and the left hand edge of its slot 186 is dis engaged from the pin 184 at intervals. Thus, the torsion spring 170 may be tensioned by the described mechanism for applying tension to the fabric for winding same on the take-up reel 160.

As best shown in Fig. 12, the actuating pawl 172 and the locking pawl 194 are normally held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 168 by the springs acting on said pawls. The locking pawl 194 prevents the rotation of the ratchet wheel 168 in the direction of the arrow B under the action of the torsion spring 170 when the locking pawl 194 is engaged with a tooth of the ratchet wheel 168. The releasing element 154 is rotatably arranged on the take-up shaft 156 for cooperation with said actuating pawl 172 and locking pawl 194.

As best shown in Fig. 13, said releasing element 154 v is substantially in the shape of a disk having an arm 240 provided with the slot 152 and a hand lever 242. The disk-like portion of said releasing element 154 has a recess 244 for cooperation with the actuating pawl 172 and a recess 246 for cooperation with the locking pawl 194. As long as the pawls 172 and 194 are in engagement with said recesses 244 and 246, said pawls may also come into engagement with the disk of the ratchet wheel 168 as shown in Fig. 12. As soon as, in the manner described above the rod 150 is automatically moved in the direction of the arrow C, the releasing element 154 is brought into the dash and dot lines position 154 whereby the high round portions of the disk-like member adjacent the recesses 244 and 246 come into engagement with the actuating pawl 172 and locking pawl 194, thus leaving same out of engagement with the disk of the ratchet wheel 168, so that the take-up reel 169 is released. When the rod 150 is automatically returned into the position shown in Fig. 12 and the spring 158 returns the releasing element 154 into the position shown in full lines in Figs. 12 and 13, the recesses 244 and 246 of the releasing element 154 are again in engagement with the actuating pawl 172 and locking pawl 194 so that th latter may come into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 168.

As shown in Fig. 1, the torsion spring 171 of the take up drive 449 arranged at the left hand side of the machine is arranged between and connected with a collar.

167 secured to the take-up shaft 156 and a ratchet wheel take-up shaft 156. The torsion spring 171 wound in a direction opposite to the direction of winding of the tor- Y period of operation the take-up drive 448 including the weaker torsion spring 176 has no influence on the take-up shaft 156.

Thus at the beginning of the knitting cycle, tension is accumulated in the stronger torsion spring 171 in the take-up drive 449 while the fabric hooked-up to the hooks of the welt-bar 252 is drawn off by said welt-bar under the action of the springs 76 (Fig. 211). After the knitting of a predetermined number of courses of the welt the welt rod releasing mechanism 406, 408, 412, 418, 420, 428 (Figs. 2 and 9l1) is actuated by the action of the controlling cam 111. the releasing mechanism taking place independently on the movement of the welt-bar 252 causes a swinging of the element 428 in counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 9 into the position shown in Fig. 10 whereby the welt-rod 436 is released for dropping onto the fabric 312. The fabric 312, at this time still drawn oh by the welt-bar 252, is somewhat above the plane of the mouth of the guiding channel 314 for the welt-rod 436. Therefore, by means of a further actuation of the controlling cam 111 the element 428 is swung in clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 10 into the position shown in Fig. 11, whereby the curved portion 444 of the element 428 comes into engagement with the welt-rod 436 pressing same downwardly into the mouth of the guiding channel 314 for engagement with the curved wall 446 of the latter.

Thereafter, and preferably shortly before the welt-bar 252 reaches its end position shown in Fig. 7, the locking latch 136 (Fig. 14) is automatically brought into the releasing position 136 by the controlling cam 110. Now the previously tensioned torsion spring 171 of the takeup drive 449 (see Fig. 1) may cause a sudden rotation of the take-up shaft 156 in the direction of the arrow D (Figs. 5 and 12) so that the hooks 278 attached to the straps 164 are suddenly moved from the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 into a position wherein they engage the welt-rod 436 located at the mouth of the guiding channel 314 as shown in Fig. 11. Now the drawing olf of the fabric is caused by the take-up drive 449 through the medium of the straps 164, hooks 278 and welt-rod 436.

As the portion 446 of the mouth of the guiding channel 314 is curved for a slight widening of the mouth, the hooks 278 may draw the welt-rod 436 into a guiding channel 314 proper, even if the element 428 is still in the position shown in Fig. 11. Preferably, however, the element 428 is returned into the position shown in Fig. 9 by another action of the controlling cam 111 shortly after the engagement of the welt-rod 436 by the hooks 278. During the remaining portion of the knitting cycle the element 428 remains in said position of Fig. 9, so that at any time a new welt-rod 436 may be inserted into the channels 434 of the blocks 432 for readiness for the next knitting cycle.

After above describing release of the welt-rod 436, the tensioning of the strong torsion spring 171 of the take-up drive 4 49 continues, while upon movement of the releasing element 154 of the other take-up drive 448 by an action of the controlling cam 112 from its releasing position 154' (see Figs. 12 and 13) into the position shown in full lines in said Figs. 12 and 13, the tensioning of the weaker torsion spring 170 takes place at the same time. As the action of the torsion spring 171 on the take-up shaft 156 is stronger than the action of the torsion spring 170, the drawing off of the fabric takes place by the action of the take-up drive 449. As soon as after the completion of the knitting of the welt the elements are in the position shown in Fig. 7, the automatic weltturn takes place. By the action of buttons 42 on the pattern chain the actuating drive 66, 82, 88 (Fig. 2a) of the pushing elements 106 and the actuating drive 67, 83, 89; (Fig. 2) of the swingable supporting members 402 are rendered active, sothat the welt-bar 252 is advanced This actuation of r0 towards the needles 250 and turned into the position shown in Fig. 8 while the swingable supporting members 402 are lifted into the position shown in said Fig. 8.

In order to enable the movement of the welt-bar 252 towards the needles requiring a temporary return movement of the welt-rod 436 from the position shown in Fig. 7 into the position shown in Fig. 8, the tension applied to the take-up reel 160 is reduced in the following manner:

By an action of the controlling cam 113 (Fig. l) the strong torsion spring 171 is entirely released, so that now the previously tensioned weaker torsion spring 170 acts on the take-up reel 160. Owing to the weaker tension thus applied to the take-up reel 160, the welt-bar 252 and welt-rod 436 may be moved towards the needles into the position of Fig. 8 as described above.

Afterthe loops of the fabric have been transferred from the welt-hooks 270 to the needles 250 during the automatic welt-turn, the fabric is again drawn off by means of the welt-rod 436, gripped by the hooks 278 secured to the straps 164. However, at first, this drawing off is caused by the take-up drive 448 including the weaker spring 170.

The welt-bar 252 is returned and the swingable supporting members 402 are lowered into their initial positions shown in Figs. 5 and 6 by means of their associated actuating drives 66, 82, 88 and 67, 83, 89 respectively.

The releasing element 155 of the take-up drive 449 is spring 171 is again tensioned. As soon as the tension of the spring 171 becomes higher than the tension of the weaker torsion spring 170, the drawing off of the fabric is taken over by the take-up drive 449.

At any suitable interval during the knitting operation the releasing element 154 of the take-up drive 448 may be returned into its releasing position 154' whereby the weaker torsion spring 170 is released.

At the end of the knitting cycle preferably during the drawing off of the fabric the controlling cam (see Fig. 14) is again advanced, so that the cam follower 118 may come into engagement with the dwell of said controlling cam 110 as shown in full lines in said Fig. 14. Thus, the mechanism 118, 122, 126, 132 is returned into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 14, so that the locking latch 136 may he returned towards the locking collar 144-by the action of the spring 149. Thus, the locking latch 136 is made ready for a locking action and may snap into the notch 142 of the locking 'collar 144 when the latter is'brought into a position opposite the notch of the locking latch 136 at the beginning of the next cycle.

Furthermore, likewise at the end of a knitting cycle and preferably simultaneously with above described actuation of the mechanism 113, 122, 126, 132 associated with the locking latch 136, the releasing element of the take-up drive 449 (see Fig. 1) is automatically brought into its releasing position by an actuation of its associated controlling cam 113. As mentioned above, the releasing element 154 of the take-up drive 448 has been brought into its releasing position 154 already during the knitting cycle after the performance of the weltturn. Thus the actuating pawls and locking pawls of the take-up drives 44% and 449 are disengaged from the teeth of the associated ratchet wheels 168 and 169 respectively so that, when the machine is stopped, the fabric may be readily wound ofi from the take-up reel 1641 which is now free for rotation in the direction of the arrow E (Fig. 12

the same manner as the knitting cycle described above.

I have described apreferred embodiment of my invention but it is'understood that numerous changes and cruis 1 saidj-i controlling; element. and. said: welt-rodsoperating pendentt -roperationwof the w'elt rod releasing means;

w an automaticwelt-turning device.

What :I claim-is: t a 1; A- welt-rodmeleas'ing mechanism; for use-in at straight i bar. knitting machineprovided with automatically 'cor'1+.':-

trolled means for engagingrautom'atic takeeup v meanszwitht a welt-rodat: a predetermined intenval-after'an initial ating means-,- so' astmtran'sferthe drawing-off iof thefabri'o: fromthe we'lt-bar to the-take-up:ineans-througkthe welh rod engaged with'the fabriqsaid welt rod-releasing mech anism comprising ins," combination: supp0rting;.means';i. actuatable welt-rod operating means capable ofreceivin'g;1 holding andreleasing Ta 'welt-rod', said welt-rod-operating means being; mountedfiont saidsupporting-means, automatic controlling means includingra movable controllingelement -ande.;meansf 1 for moving: thellatter in a= prede'tefl minedzlmannernand'an actuating:mechanismiengageti with means. fori'actuating'; the latter" in dependence on I the movements ;of:'said controllinghelernent at atpredetermine intervaLwhereby the weltrodimaysbe"released; the welt rod =-releasing gmechanism i beingf operable independently of the welt-bar and th'e-welt-bar actuating means;

2. In --a welt r'odi releasing mechanism: 1 as claimed l in claim 1, saidactuating imechanism includinga'linkage connected; with "said controlling means and' said welt rod operating means, the movable controlling element 'com prising airotata'bler cam; and meansfor adjusting the positiomof-fsaid cam for cselectivel'y varyingthe: contrfo'lling movement'thereofvindependently of the opera'tion ofsaid welt-bar;

3. A'vstraight harsknitting machine comprising in com-'- bi fl e1md; operating. means capable o? holding 45 andiincluding a "rockable'lever settable ina first pizasition and releasing v a 1' welt rod, automatic we'lt rod rel'easing means-ioperzatively engaged: rwithzsaid zwelt' rod operating means..:fo1'"causing aawelt-rod release, automatic take up means including'engaging means forengaging' "the w'e lt 5 mined-rrelation'ship toi'each other; said controllin'g zelee ents beingr operablerindependentlyiof each :other.

55Aa welt-,rodreleasing;- mechanism-,2: for' use: in astraight bar knitting machinegprovided' With automaticallyr controlledw-means foriengagingnautomatic; take-up mean's 'ti 'Witli'a welt-rod at aipredetermined interval-after-'aninitial" dr-awingolfzofknitted fabric by a welt-ban so 'as to trans fersrthe-drawing-oif of the *fabric fromz-the:welt+bat"to'-tlie take-upime'ans-througbthe welt-rod engaged by tlierfabrieyj sa'id v elt-rodreleasing mechanism 'comprisingLin combi=:=-

said supporting means; above the mouth of said guidingl' channel -and includingza 'rockable' member' settable in 'a first position forv holdingjthei;welterod; in asecond 'position for-'releasin'gisaidt wt'elt-rodrso asiito drop: freelyi into the moutlnofrsa'id guiding channel, :andin'artlind positiomfor presenting; said 'welterodagainst a wall of said=-guidingr channel'gautomatic controllingi'rneans including a-movaBle-f controlling; elen1ent =anc'ldrive means for" moving the latter in a; predetermined-manner;and an: actuating mechanisrn engaged with; said controllingzelem'enb and said' Welt-50d operating z'me'ansr'fori'settingzthe rockable level" successively in said three positions at predetermined' intervalsgin: dependence on; the movements of said controllingdelemenf; wherehyi-the'-welt-rod;may:be released:-

63; kwelt-rodireleasingmechanism, according to claim 5 in whichjthe mouthof said guiding channel has widened'aportion so as-topermit a movement of sa'id' -we rod'into ;the :guiding channelaby the take-upimea' ns while--- said rockable leveruis riniits ithird position.

-7.'. A-jstraight? bar'. knittingimachine comprising in com bination: a-stationary:support' having. a guiding channel? an-.--: automatic: weltturning: device including swingablc ,supporting;;.means rockably: mounted on said stationary support-,- actuatable 'welt-rod operating means capable of receiving; holding; and v releasing a welt-rod;- said' w'elt rod operatingcmeansbeing mounted on said 'swingablesupportingimeansabove the mouth of'the 'guiding'tcha-nnel welt-rodagainst 'e :"W'allnof the mouth of said-guidi g rodz-uponi its release, an automatic; welt turningdeviceggg. .channeh i automatic:take=upameans including engaging! and-'Eautomatic controlling rneanss-including 'fiing second and-=third -controllinguelements and drive 'means for moving said controlling elements in a predetermined matineesaidncontrolling :elements being. respectively associated witl'L:said':wcltq od releasing rneansg-hsaicl talic -up' ands-saidmeltturningidevice for renderin' g sameactivea predetermined:irrtervalss inr predetermined relationship to eachaothen: said first,isecond and third control f'el er'rients being; operable: independently of 1 each other T for ih'de'v tak'e' u xirmeans andwelt-turningi device;

4;; A straight bar knitting machine complising;iri'zom bination: 'a stationarytsuppprt; Ian: automaticji welvtutningi device: :inc'luding':swing'ab'le supporting means rockably" mounted I on: said stationary support, actuatable: welt-rod 65;

operating meanscapable'of receiving, holding and releasingia'vWelt-rod; .said'iwelt-rod operating means bein mounted on said 'swingabie supporting means,r a-welt bat mowablyemounted on 'saidiaswingable; supporting means,'

automatic take-up means including engaging means" 01670 engaging-thew welt-rod upon its release said engaging means being amounted oncsaid-gstationary; support, and automatic controllingameansdncluding first,lsecond,-.third and. fourth-controllingelements and. drive: means fon moiring-the same in a predetermined manner, said first; second 7 means fdnaengaging; the'- welt-1'0d-' uponeits relea'se; and automatic;- controllingumeans including a movable icon-" trollingeelement and 'me'aansi for m'ovin'g the latter in a predete'rmined% manner; said controlling 1 eler'nent ofi the' s automatic controlling lmeans :ibeing associated with said welt-turning device, said welt-rod operating means' and saidstakeeupcmeans for actuating same' afijpre'determined intervalsjin-predetermined relationsh pit each-*other'.='--

8: Aswe "rod?releasingtmechanism accordingflo claim thexmouthz-pfsaid figuiding cli'annel has" a Widenediportiomso'as to permit agmovenient of-fsaid welt rodzin'tostheoguiding channel by. the-- engaging rneai'l's oi 'saida taleeup :mean's iwhil'e saith roe'kablefi leve'r is -in' its position. v V

References 'Cifil in the file. of this patent- UNITED STATES PATENTS nationgasupportinggmeanshavingaiiwelt-rod guidingichane 7' nel i-actuat-able-s welt-rod operating means mountedon? 

